FILE - Mississippi State right-handed pitcher was drafted by the Miami Marlins in the 36th round of the 2012 Major League Baseball Draft. Photo by: MSU athletics

Matt Stevens

June 6, 2012 11:47:34 PM

STARKVILLE - Mississippi State University right-handed pitcher Kendall Graveman was selected Wednesday in the 36th round, 1097th overall, of the 2012 Major League Draft.

Graveman led the MSU staff with 16 starts in 2012 while recording 59 strikeouts in 89.2 innings pitched. The Bulldogs regular Saturday starter on the mound behind Stratton this season registered the first complete game in the SEC in 2012 in a victory in a series-finale contest at Louisiana State University. Graveman, a pitch-to-contact hurler, earned an impressive win in his final road start of the campaign. Combining with relief ace Jonathan Holder on a three-hit shutout in a 2-0 victory at No. 1 University of Florida. In his three-year career, Graveman is 11-8 with one save and a 4.03 career earned run average with 118 strikeouts in 49 appearances, 29 of them being starts and 196 1/3 innings.

Cohen and the MSU staff are feeling good about the likelihood of Graveman deciding to return for his final year of eligibility.

"The opportunity is there and we will fully support him no matter what decision he makes," Cohen said. "He's also one year away from an Engineering degree from Mississippi State University and on the field has the opportunity to be the Friday night guy for us next year."

Graveman was named to the 2012 SEC All-Defensive Team this year, marking the first such honor for an MSU player since the league initiated the defensive all-star unit in 2008.

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